Jimmy Butler Traded to the Philadelphia 76ers

Jimmy Butler finally got his wish. On November 10th, Butler was traded to the Philadelphia 76ers. In exchange for Butler, the Minnesota Timberwolves received forwards Robert Covington and Dario Saric, along with guard Jerrod Bayless and a 2022 second round pick. Butler will join Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons in the starting lineup. How will Butler impact the 76ers going forward? Did the franchise make the right move in landing Butler? Let’s examine this trade.

WAS THIS THE RIGHT MOVE?

Yes, the 76ers made the right choice in trading for Butler. Butler is one of the best two-way players in the NBA. His drive and work ethic should catapult the 76ers into the NBA Finals. Although it will take time for chemistry to develop, Butler can be a long term solution. Butler joins the 76ers with an average of 21.3 points per game. He will add another scoring dimension to an already-good 76ers offense, which is ranked 10th in the NBA. More importantly, Butler will provide a lift defensively. Currently, the 76ers are ranked 20th in the NBA.

THE CHALLENGES

Although Butler is a fantastic player, he has been labeled as a toxic teammate. He has admitted that he was at odds with former teammates Derrick Rose and Joakim Noah during his stint with the Chicago Bulls. Also, Butler’s outspoken nature destroyed the development of the Timberwolves. He did not get along with Karl Anthony-Towns and Andrew Wiggins. Butler’s drive to win has negatively affected two franchises. Butler will need to dial back his ways for the betterment of the 76ers. Embiid and Simmons, along with Markelle Fultz will look to him for guidance.

76ers SEASON FORECAST

The pressure is on. The 76ers have the final piece to the puzzle. Butler should be enough for them to win the Eastern Conference. Chemistry will need to develop quickly. Four of their next five games will be on the road. Luckily after November 10th, they will not face a team with a winning record until December 5th (road game against the Toronto Raptors). The 76ers should improve on their 8-5 record, which is below expectations. The 76ers are in line for a deep playoff run. They have the talent to win. If Butler gels with them and keeps his attitude in check, the 76ers could be the new representatives of the Eastern Conference.